Pazzi Chapel

Pazzi Chapel

Profile: The Pazzi Chapel occupies a minor space that could almost pass unnoticed as it cannot be accessed directly from the first cloister of the Basilica di Santa Croce (although, technically, it's part of it). Despite this, it harbours some fascinating historical traces and is considered to be one of the masterpieces of Renaissance architecture.

A project that saw construction begin in 1429, the Pazzi Chapel is a significant structure in studies concerning central-plan buildings that rediscovered popularity among Renaissance architects; this style was first very common in churches constructed in the 4th and 5th centuries. The chapel was one of the first examples of this type of structure that was also applied in the building of other churches such as Santa Maria delle Carceri in Prato, San Biagio in Montepulciano or Santa Maria Nuova in Cortona. Even St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican was first thought to be constructed using the same shape.

The funds for making the chapel were provided by Andrea Pazzi, head of the Pazzi Family (one of the richest in the region, second only to the Medici) after the convent and library of the basilica was burned down in a fire in 1423. However, in the last 600 years Pazzi hasn't been the only one to finance the works in the chapel; $102,426 was raised for an urgent restoration thanks to more than 800 backers who donated answering to a Crowdfunding campaign in 2015.​It is commonly thought that Filippo Brunelleschi was the architect of the chapel, with one of the clearest inspirations for this piece being the monastery of Santa Maria Novella, also in Florence. But the chapel, partially built using Pietra Serenasandstone was completed in 1443. Brunelleschi died two decades prior to that which is one of the reasons for the emergence of a debate over who was the genuine architect. Nevertheless, even if Brunelleschi was not the designer and executor of the chapel, two of his paintings can be found inside it, along with work of several other noted artists such as Giuliano da Maiano, Luca della Robbia, Alesso Baldovinetti and Donatello.

The question over who designed and built the chapel is not the only one that remains unanswered however. Above the shrine on the ceiling, a fresco depicts the sky with the stars as they were positioned on July 4, 1442 but the significance of that date is still as yet unclear.

​​Basilica admission: €8/€4 (reduced, for children under 17, school groups or groups that include a minimum of 15 people)The ticket also gives access to the Monumental Complex (Basilica, Cloisters and Museo dell'Opera del Duomo), Audio guide: €1.50